MySpace in the News
December 14, 2006 at 11:10 am Janie Hermann 32 comments
I am preparing this morning for an upcoming Tech Talk on January 2nd at MPOW that will cover MySpace and social netowrking. Karen Klapperstuck of the Bradley Beach Public Library will be presenting with me and the topic is already generating a lot of interest from the Tech Talk regulars. I am preparing early, for once, as I want to enjoy some time off over the holidays without stress (plus I am getting a jump on my New Year’s Resolution: No more procrastinating by telling myself that I work better under pressure!)
I am putting together a list of MySpace and Facebook stories to post to the Tech Talk Blog as a part of this presentation and here are three interesting MySpace stories that I uncovered this morning:
A few hours ago ABC News posted an article entitled Web King: MySpace Takes Throne From Yahoo. One quick highlight:
“An interesting online milestone occurred in November: MySpace overtook Yahoo as the No. 1 most-viewed site on the Internet, according to comScore Media Metrix.
The numbers are staggering: There were 38.7 billion — yes, billion — page views for MySpace versus 38.1 billion for Yahoo, and again, that was just for November.
It’s fascinating to see how the Internet has evolved. Who knew that simply socializing online could change the Internet?”
I love that last statement — it will be incorporated in to the talk for sure!
And then there are these two library related articles that were posted within the last 24 hours:
Prison Escapee Caught After Checking MySpace — it seems that an escaped prisoner from Georgia kept checking his MySpace account using his real name. He was accessing his account from the Philadelphia Free Library.
Manatee libraries block MySpace — in this case, the library has chosen to block access to MySpace because it does not server the library’s “educational mission”. Here is the precise quote from the article:
Administrators looked at the site and decided it did not serve educational purposes. And most MySpace.com users weren’t going to the library to check out materials or do research, Van Berkel said.
I looked at the policies page for the Manatee County Library System and after reading their Internet access policy, I can’t say I am surprised. The site uses frames so I can’t link you directly to the policy because no static url is given, so I will paste a portion of it here instead:
Policies Governing Internet Access
Due to limited resources, access to the full Internet may be limited and shall initially be made available primarily to provide:
Assistance to patrons with research of an academic nature.
Access to library on-line catalogs.
Local newspaper indexes.
Web pages of government agencies and local organizations.
Government documents research.
Genealogical research.
Historic and scientific research.
and shall not be available for:
Chat room access, e-mail or the creation of web pages.
Entertainment and recreational uses.
Accessing materials that are obscene, or child pornography, or materials harmful to minors as defined by Chapter 847, Florida Statutes.
Okay, that pretty much speaks for itself and does not really need commentary from me. Now I need to find a way to incorporate these stories in to the talk.
On a side note, I am collecting examples of libraries that have successfully used MySpace to promote services and as a method of outreach. If you want to be included in the talk, just let me know by commenting here at Library Garden or sending me an email.
Also, if you are within driving distance of Princeton, I would like to invite you to please drop by and join Karen and I on the 2nd. Here is the official “blurb” for the program:
Social Software: Hype vs. Reality
Janie Hermann and Karen Klapperstuck will give an overview of social software sites such as Myspace.com and Facebook.com, looking at the pros and cons of using them, and show you how to set up a profile. They will also provide tips for staying safe in online communities, and examine what is hype and what is not about the dangers of connecting and collaborating in a virtual world. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 7 p.m.
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Library Garden 
1.
Lucian | December 14, 2006 at 12:40 pm
O’Reilly Radar had an interesting take on the MySpace pageview story – Check it out at:
the O’Reilly Radar blog. It was interesting – your post and the O’Reilly post were the first two things i read this morning.
2.
Lucian | December 14, 2006 at 12:40 pm
O’Reilly Radar had an interesting take on the MySpace pageview story – Check it out at:
the O’Reilly Radar blog. It was interesting – your post and the O’Reilly post were the first two things i read this morning.
3.
Janie L. Hermann | December 14, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Wow, thanks for that link to the O’Reilly Radar blog. Very interesting indeed.
I read an article recently (within the last few weeks) about how MySpace was in danger of becoming “too popular” and thus in danger of losing users. Basically it had grown too big and was too mainstream for many of the original MySpacers. Did anyone else read this? If so, link me up please!
4.
Janie L. Hermann | December 14, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Wow, thanks for that link to the O’Reilly Radar blog. Very interesting indeed.
I read an article recently (within the last few weeks) about how MySpace was in danger of becoming “too popular” and thus in danger of losing users. Basically it had grown too big and was too mainstream for many of the original MySpacers. Did anyone else read this? If so, link me up please!
5.
Janie L. Hermann | December 14, 2006 at 1:53 pm
That was me deleting the comment, I made a link error. Too much multi-tasking going on.
I found the article about MySpace’s 15 minutes of fame being over.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15830811/
6.
Janie L. Hermann | December 14, 2006 at 1:53 pm
That was me deleting the comment, I made a link error. Too much multi-tasking going on.
I found the article about MySpace’s 15 minutes of fame being over.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15830811/
7.
Anonymous | December 14, 2006 at 5:10 pm
You should check out http://www.spokeo.com. It combines all the social networks together, allowing people to browse many more profiles faster.
Maybe now students can spend less time on social networks and still keep in touch with friends.
8.
Anonymous | December 14, 2006 at 5:10 pm
You should check out http://www.spokeo.com. It combines all the social networks together, allowing people to browse many more profiles faster.
Maybe now students can spend less time on social networks and still keep in touch with friends.
9.
Anonymous | December 14, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Love it when you all trash MySpace. Just awesome. And you focus on negative stories of course. Nothing positive could EVER happen there, right?
10.
Anonymous | December 14, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Love it when you all trash MySpace. Just awesome. And you focus on negative stories of course. Nothing positive could EVER happen there, right?
11.
Janie L. Hermann | December 15, 2006 at 8:03 am
I am sorry if my post came across to you as being negative about MySpace. It was not intended to be negative, merely a reporting on some of the stories that had appeared in the last 24 hours that I found interesting.
I am actually puzzled that you found this to be negative. I am doing a session on how to set up a MySpace account and separating the hype from the reality. The stories I reported in this post are more on the hype end, but our session will focus on the positive.
My husband is in a band that does 90% of their promotion via MySpace to great success. I think MySpace has lots of great attributes and I am a fan of social software. How does reporting on the 3 stories that I found published in the last 24 hours consist of my being negative? In fact, if you read the subtext correctly, you might surmise that I am against banning MySpace at public libraries. I recognize the value of MySpace and other social software sites. I found it interesting that MySpace had surpassed Yahoo! — nothing more, nothing less.
I asked for stories from other libraries who have successfully used MySpace to do outreach like Bradley Beach has done. If I thought no good could from MySpace would I be asking for more stories to share with our audience?
12.
Janie L. Hermann | December 15, 2006 at 8:03 am
I am sorry if my post came across to you as being negative about MySpace. It was not intended to be negative, merely a reporting on some of the stories that had appeared in the last 24 hours that I found interesting.
I am actually puzzled that you found this to be negative. I am doing a session on how to set up a MySpace account and separating the hype from the reality. The stories I reported in this post are more on the hype end, but our session will focus on the positive.
My husband is in a band that does 90% of their promotion via MySpace to great success. I think MySpace has lots of great attributes and I am a fan of social software. How does reporting on the 3 stories that I found published in the last 24 hours consist of my being negative? In fact, if you read the subtext correctly, you might surmise that I am against banning MySpace at public libraries. I recognize the value of MySpace and other social software sites. I found it interesting that MySpace had surpassed Yahoo! — nothing more, nothing less.
I asked for stories from other libraries who have successfully used MySpace to do outreach like Bradley Beach has done. If I thought no good could from MySpace would I be asking for more stories to share with our audience?
13.
Rana | December 15, 2006 at 6:53 pm
What about social networking sites around books. GuruLib is an example. Using a book shelf metaphor, GuruLib catalogs books, movies, music, games and software online. In addition, it will help find others who share similar interest in books, movies etc.
14.
Rana | December 15, 2006 at 6:53 pm
What about social networking sites around books. GuruLib is an example. Using a book shelf metaphor, GuruLib catalogs books, movies, music, games and software online. In addition, it will help find others who share similar interest in books, movies etc.
15.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
16.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
17.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
18.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
19.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
20.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
21.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
22.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
23.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
24.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
25.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
26.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:50 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
27.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:51 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
28.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:51 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
29.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:53 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
30.
Anonymous | December 18, 2006 at 6:53 am
Janie,
What a great program to offer. I’ve had a MySpace account since I began blogging and what I love about it is the community building. It does require a bit more effort than blogging to keep up but I think the result is worth it. Most of the people in my community are librarians, authors and musicians and I find they use their postings very effectively to keep people in touch with what they are doing. On a similar note, Time Magazine is naming “You” Person of the year. I wrote about it on my blog yesterday to begin a discussion about the how and if libraries can push their boundaries to allow places where our customers can provide raw content. I’ve spoken with many libraries that are concerned about allowing places for people to post unedited and yet that is that is a huge part of the success of social networking… how can we… or can we find ways to get onboard with user generated content?
31.
another librarian | December 18, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Does anyone else remember when “Talk City” was the website du jour, tying up bandwith, tying up public library computers and generally giving many librarians cause to want to block the site? (At my library this was before any talk of filters!)
32.
another librarian | December 18, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Does anyone else remember when “Talk City” was the website du jour, tying up bandwith, tying up public library computers and generally giving many librarians cause to want to block the site? (At my library this was before any talk of filters!)